How do we come up with the rankings? Well, we wait until after Week 5 to release our first set. And there are numerous variables at play, chief among them who a team has beaten and where. While we have a "what have you done for me lately?" mindset, we also consider the rankings a snapshot of the whole season, not just one game; that's why -- at times -- teams are ranked below a team they may have beaten. In addition, if a tiebreaker is needed, it's who we think would win on a neutral field.

We update these every Tuesday at 1:20 p.m. Eastern time, so if your team isn't where you think it should be, check back in a week.

And one more thing: The reason there are no FCS teams in here is simple. It's the ranking of the 120 FBS teams.

On to the rankings:

Mike Huguenin's 120 at 1:20

1. Oregon (9-0)
BUZZ: The Ducks have scored at least 42 points in every game this season, and this past Saturday's 53-point output against Washington was the sixth time they had scored at least 52. NEXT: at California, Saturday

2. Auburn (10-0)
BUZZ: The Tigers clinch the SEC West title this week with a win over Georgia. NEXT: vs. Georgia, Saturday

4. Boise State (8-0)
BUZZ: Hawaii went into last week's game at Boise with an offense that had performed like a Porsche; the Broncos' defense made sure the Warriors left on a tricycle with wobbly wheels. NEXT: at Idaho, Friday

5. Stanford (8-1)
BUZZ: The Cardinal, whose only loss was to Oregon, are the best one-loss team in the nation. If you don't believe me, Jim Harbaugh will have his offensive line knock you down, step on you, then beat on you with their biology textbooks. NEXT: at Arizona State, Saturday

7. LSU (8-1)
BUZZ: Les Miles is livin' large, baby! A reverse on fourth-and-1? A long pass from a backup quarterback on third-and-13 with the game on the line? Les Miles laughs at you for doubting him. NEXT: vs. Louisiana-Monroe, Saturday

8. Nebraska (7-1)
BUZZ: Just think: A lost to Texas -- at home, no less! -- may deny the Huskers a shot at the national title. NEXT: vs. Kansas, Nebraska

9. Ohio State (8-1)
BUZZ: The Buckeyes have a tough three-game stretch to close out the regular season, with contests against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan. NEXT: vs. Penn State, Saturday

11. Michigan State (9-1)
BUZZ: It's possible the Spartans finish 11-1 but still end up in Orlando for New Year's Day. NEXT: vs. Purdue, Nov. 20

12. Iowa (7-2)
BUZZ: The Hawkeyes were lucky they survived to win at Indiana. This week, they actually play a tough opponent on the road. NEXT: at Northwestern, Saturday

13. Alabama (7-2)
BUZZ: There will be no repeat national title for the Tide. Heck, there won't even be a repeat SEC West title. And what might be worst of all: Auburn could finish unbeaten. NEXT: vs. Mississippi State, Saturday

14. Utah (8-1)
BUZZ: Well, so much for that 21-game home winning streak. Utah certainly won't miss not having to play TCU any more. NEXT: at Notre Dame, Saturday

15. Arizona (7-2)
BUZZ: The Wildcats' first loss came by two points. But there was nothing flukish about the beatdown they were handed Saturday night by Stanford. NEXT: vs. USC, Saturday

16. Arkansas (7-2)
BUZZ: If the Hogs win out, which would entail beating UTEP, Mississippi State and LSU, they'd have a shot at a BCS bid. NEXT: vs. UTEP, Saturday

18. Oklahoma (7-2)
BUZZ: Yes, the offense had some issues in the red zone. But the defense didn't do its job, either, in the loss at Texas A&M. NEXT: vs. Texas Tech, Saturday

19. Virginia Tech (7-2)
BUZZ: The Hokies have won seven in a row since opening the season with back-to-back losses. They have North Carolina and Miami in their next two games. NEXT: at North Carolina, Saturday

20. Mississippi State (7-2)
BUZZ: If the Bulldogs can go into Tuscaloosa and beat the Tide, they might just build a statue of Dan Mullen in Starkville. NEXT: at Alabama, Saturday

21. USC (6-3)
BUZZ: USC has lost twice on last-play field goals, so surviving a last-minute attempt by Arizona State may have been karma evening things out. NEXT: at Arizona, Saturday

22. Texas A&M (6-3)
BUZZ: While it's a long shot, the Aggies still have a chance to win the Big 12 South title. NEXT: at Baylor, Saturday

23. Miami (6-3)
BUZZ: Miami gutted out a win over Maryland despite using a backup quarterback and a backup tailback. The Hurricanes may have to do it again this week -- but Tech will have a backup quarterback as well. NEXT: at Georgia Tech, Saturday

24. Nevada (8-1)
BUZZ: The Wolf Pack rolled up an incredible 844 yards in hammering Idaho last week. They had three players rush for 100 yards against the Vandals. NEXT: at Fresno State, Saturday

25. North Carolina (6-3)
BUZZ: Butch Davis deserves credit for keeping the Tar Heels together in the face of adversity. Of course, most of the adversity is self-inflicted, so .... NEXT: vs. Virginia Tech, Saturday

26. South Carolina (6-3)
BUZZ: Remember when the Gamecocks beat Alabama and everyone was talking about the possibility of an SEC title and a BCS bid? If they don't prevail Saturday at Florida, they won't even win the SEC East. NEXT: at Florida, Saturday

27. Baylor (7-3)
BUZZ: Well, it was fun while it lasted. In their three losses, the Bears have allowed an average of 48.3 points per game. NEXT: vs. Texas A&M, Saturday

28. Florida State (6-3)
BUZZ: FSU has dropped two in a row, and now the Seminoles are in a fight to win the ACC's Atlantic Division title. NEXT: vs. Clemson, Saturday

29. Florida (6-3)
BUZZ: The Gators look to be on an uptick as they head into their SEC East showdown with Steve Spurrier and South Carolina. Can they keep it going? NEXT: vs. South Carolina, Saturday

30. N.C. State (6-3)
BUZZ: The Wolfpack have lost three of their past five, but they're still in OK shape to win the ACC Atlantic Division title. NEXT: vs. Wake Forest, Saturday

31. Air Force (6-4)
BUZZ: Beating Army was nice. Beating Army to win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 2002 was even nicer. NEXT: vs. New Mexico, Saturday

32. San Diego State (7-2)
BUZZ: The Aztecs haven't been all that impressive of late. Still, they are winning, and that is a vast change from previous seasons, when they always lost when they played less than their best. NEXT: at TCU, Saturday

33. Penn State (6-3)
BUZZ: Joe Paterno won his 400th game Saturday to become the third NCAA coach to reach that plateau. He has been on the Penn State coach staff since 1950. How long ago is that? An Ivy League team finished in the top 10 and Washington & Lee went to the Gator Bowl. NEXT: at Ohio State, Saturday

34. Michigan (6-3)
BUZZ: After watching the Wolverines score 67 points on Saturday, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein called up Rich Rodriguez and asked to borrow his playbook. NEXT: at Purdue, Saturday

35. Kansas State (6-3)
BUZZ: You know Bill Snyder was loving it Saturday. Not only did his Wildcats hammer Texas, they ran the ball right down the Longhorns' throats and completed just two passes. NEXT: at Missouri, Saturday

37. Pittsburgh (5-3)
BUZZ: The Panthers didn't play this past weekend, but still saw their lead in the Big East grow to two games over everyone else in the league. NEXT: at Connecticut, Saturday

38. Northwestern (6-3)
BUZZ: The Wildcats looked good in building a 21-0 lead on Penn State. They didn't look so good in surrendering 35 consecutive points to the Nittany Lions and losing 35-21. NEXT: vs. Iowa, Saturday

39. Illinois (5-4)
BUZZ: If we're not mistaken, Michigan just scored again against the Illini. NEXT: vs. Minnesota, Saturday

42. West Virginia (5-3)
BUZZ: WVU has lost two in a row, and the Mountaineers need to get their offense cranked up. A visit from Cincy's mediocre defense should help in that regard. NEXT: vs. Cincinnati, Saturday

43. Northern Illinois (7-2)
BUZZ: The Huskies' game with Toledo should decide the MAC West title. A victory makes a 10-2 regular season a distinct possibility. NEXT: vs. Toledo, Tuesday

45. Iowa State (5-5)
BUZZ: The Cyclones had a chance to win their second in a row over Nebraska, but coach Paul Rhoads' overtime gamble failed to pay off. NEXT: at Colorado, Saturday

46. Oregon State (4-4)
BUZZ: The Beavers usually get better as the season progresses. But this isn't a usual season. NEXT: vs. Washington State, Saturday

47. Clemson (5-4)
BUZZ: Just when it looked as if Clemson's season had been buried, the Tigers sprung to life. Staying alive in the ACC Atlantic race depends upon winning Saturday. NEXT: at Florida State, Saturday

48. Texas Tech (5-4)
BUZZ: All of a sudden, the Red Raiders come up with a defensive performance that made coach Tommy Tuberville say, "Now that's what I'm talking about!" NEXT: at Oklahoma, Saturday

49. California (5-4)
BUZZ: It wasn't pretty, but, hey, the Golden Bears will take any win they can get, even if it was by just six over woeful Washington State. NEXT: vs. Oregon, Saturday

50. Georgia (5-5)
BUZZ: The Bulldogs' offense is in high gear; it needs to continue at that pace if the Bulldogs are to pull off a shocker on the Plains. NEXT: at Auburn, Saturday

51. Tulsa (6-3)
BUZZ: The Golden Hurricane have a legit shot at winning the C-USA West title if they can win this weekend. NEXT: at Houston, Saturday

52. Syracuse (6-3)
BUZZ: Going into the season, Orange fans would've loved to be 6-3. But falling to a short-handed Louisville team to get that third loss is disappointing. NEXT: at Rutgers, Saturday

53. Texas (4-5)
BUZZ: The Longhorns have lost five of their past six, and they face the very real possibility that they will be home for the holidays. That's embarrassing. NEXT: vs. Oklahoma State, Saturday

54. East Carolina (5-4)
BUZZ: Saturday's loss to Navy was the sixth time this season that the Pirates have surrendered at least 42 points. Unfortunately for coach Ruffin McNeill, he is used to that from his days at Texas Tech. NEXT: at UAB, Thursday

55. Notre Dame (4-5)
BUZZ: The season has disintegrated for the Irish, but upsetting the Utes would be a step in the right direction. Can they make that step? NEXT: vs. Utah, Saturday

56. UCLA (4-5)
BUZZ: The Bruins squeaked past Oregon State on a last-play field goal. The clock operator at the Rose Bowl should get an assist. NEXT: at Washington, Nov. 18

57. Maryland (6-3)
BUZZ: The Terps gave up a last-minute touchdown to fall at Miami, which was using a backup quarterback and a backup tailback. NEXT: at Virginia, Saturday

58. Kentucky (5-5)
BUZZ: The Wildcats finish with Vandy and Tennessee -- or as SEC fans like to call that duo this season, "Sure Win" and "Sure Win 2." NEXT: vs. Vanderbilt, Saturday

59. USF (5-3)
BUZZ: USF held off Rutgers and won by one. The Bulls still have a shot at finishing second in the Big East. NEXT: at Louisville, Saturday

69. SMU (5-5)
BUZZ: The Mustangs have lost three of their past four, but they're still in the mix for the C-USA West title. NEXT: vs. Marshall, Nov. 20

70. Fresno State (6-2)
BUZZ: The record is impressive, but the Bulldogs haven't beaten anyone with a winning record. They get a chance to do so in their next two games -- vs. Nevada and at Boise State. NEXT: vs. Nevada, Saturday

71. Toledo (6-3)
BUZZ: The Rockets are 5-0 in MAC play, and Tuesday night's game basically decides matters in the West Division. NEXT: at Northern Illinois, Tuesday

72. BYU (4-5)
BUZZ: BYU has won three of its past four, with the only loss in that span to TCU. The Cougars need two more wins for bowl eligibility, and what do you know -- the next two games are against Colorado State and New Mexico, which have a combined three wins. NEXT: at Colorado State, Saturday

73. Rutgers (4-4)
BUZZ: The Scarlet Knights are nothing if not consistent. They won their first two, then lost two, then won two, then lost two. Can they start another winning streak this week? NEXT: vs. Syracuse, Saturday

74. Army (5-4)
BUZZ: The Black Knights can clinch bowl eligibility this week; if they do, it will mark the first time all three service academies have gone bowling in the same season. NEXT: at Kent State, Saturday

75. Ohio U. (7-3)
BUZZ: The Bobcats have scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games and at least 34 in five in a row. If they can score that many in their next one, they likely are going to win the MAC East title. NEXT: at Temple, Nov. 16

76. Troy (5-3)
BUZZ: Saturday's game will be just the fourth time the Trojans have played at home this season. NEXT: vs. Florida International, Saturday

77. Tennessee (3-6)
BUZZ: The Vols are the only team winless in SEC action; they get another chance to change that this weekend. NEXT: vs. Ole Miss, Saturday

78. Cincinnati (3-5)
BUZZ: The Bearcats have made back-to-back BCS appearances. Time is getting short for them to even be bowl-eligible this season. NEXT: at West Virginia, Saturday

79. Purdue (4-5)
BUZZ: The defense has fallen apart of late. That's not good with high-powered Michigan coming in next. On the other hand, the Boilermakers' offense has been sickly and the Wolverines' defense has been like chicken soup for struggling offenses. NEXT: vs. Michigan, Saturday

80. UTEP (6-4)
BUZZ: The Miners snapped a three-game losing streak with an upset of SMU that made them bowl-eligible. That was their last home game of the season. NEXT: at Arkansas, Saturday

81. Arkansas State (4-5)
BUZZ: The Red Wolves have won three of their past four and have put themselves in a legitimate position to become bowl-eligible. And if they're bowl-eligible, chances are they will get a bid. NEXT: vs. Western Kentucky, Saturday

82. Miami of Ohio (5-4)
BUZZ: One more victory makes the RedHawks bowl-eligible. That would be quite an accomplishment considering they won just one game last season. NEXT: at Bowling Green, Wednesday

83. Colorado (3-6)
BUZZ: The Buffs had Kansas down and on the ground. Alas, they took their foot off KU's neck and the Jayhawks scored 35 in the final 11 minutes to pull out a victory. NEXT: vs. Iowa State, Saturday

84. Indiana (4-5)
BUZZ: IU was 4-0 in non-conference games but is 0-5 in Big Ten play. NEXT: at Wisconsin, Saturday

86. UAB (3-6)
BUZZ: Two weeks ago, the Blazers won at Southern Miss to give themselves a realistic shot at a bowl bid. But last week, at home, the Blazers fell to a two-win Marshall team, which puts the bowl bid in serious jeopardy. NEXT: vs. East Carolina, Thursday

87. Tulane (3-6)
BUZZ: The Green Wave have made some strides this season, and a victory Saturday would mean their first four-win season since 2007. NEXT: vs. Rice, Saturday

88. Louisiana Tech (3-6)
BUZZ: The Bulldogs have scored 54 points in their past two games, but they lost them both because they surrendered 89 in those two matchups. NEXT: at New Mexico State, Saturday

89. Colorado State (3-7)
BUZZ: The Rams have just four interceptions and have allowed 20 TD passes. They also are allowing foes to complete 68.9 percent of their passes. NEXT: vs. BYU, Saturday

90. Idaho (4-5)
BUZZ: Generally, when you allow 844 yards, you lose. And that's what happened to Idaho over the weekend, when the Vandals fell 63-17 to Nevada. And, gee, look who's next on the schedule. NEXT: vs. Boise State, Friday

91. Kansas (3-6)
BUZZ: One positive memory from this season will be the fourth-quarter rally against Colorado. This team had every reason not to care, but the Jayhawks instead scored 35 points in 11 minutes to stun the Buffs. NEXT: at Nebraska, Saturday

92. Duke (3-6)
BUZZ: After losing six in a row, the Blue Devils have won two in a row, thanks to an offense that has put up 89 points in the past two games. NEXT: vs. Boston College, Saturday

93. Kent State (4-5)
BUZZ: The Golden Flashes lead the nation in rush defense (69.3 ypg), and they will get a big test Saturday from Army, which is eighth in the nation in rush offense (277.2 ypg). NEXT: vs. Army, Saturday

94. Middle Tennessee (3-5)
BUZZ: Blue Raiders quarterbacks have combined to throw 16 interceptions and just six TDs. Dwight Dasher has half the TD passes but also 10 of the picks. NEXT: vs. North Texas, Saturday

95. Marshall (3-6)
BUZZ: The Herd have won two in a row and, technically, still are alive in the hunt for one of C-USA's six bowl bids. They should get their third consecutive victory Saturday. NEXT: vs. Memphis, Saturday

96. Louisiana-Monroe (4-5)
BUZZ: Saturday's opponent will be the third SEC foe this season; ULM already has lost to Arkansas and Auburn by a combined 84-10. NEXT: at LSU, Saturday

97. Utah State (3-6)
BUZZ: The Aggies have a chance to win their second in a row on Saturday; it would be their first two-game winning streak since the final two games of the 2007 season. NEXT: at San Jose State, Saturday

98. Wyoming (2-8)
BUZZ: You can't blame Cowboys players if they try to keep a low profile this week. Losing to previously winless New Mexico should make you want to hide. NEXT: at UNLV, Saturday

99. Washington State (1-9)
BUZZ: The Cougars are 117th in the nation in rush offense and 119th in rush defense. They also are last in the nation in total defense. NEXT: at Oregon State, Saturday

100. Florida Atlantic (3-5)
BUZZ: Saturday's win over Western Kentucky was the second one-point victory of the season for the Owls, who beat UAB by one in the opener. NEXT: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, Saturday

101. Florida International (3-5)
BUZZ: WR T.Y. Hilton had a huge game in last week's double-overtime win over Louisiana-Monroe, scoring four touchdowns -- two on receptions, one on a kickoff return and one on a run. NEXT: at Troy, Saturday

102. Vanderbilt (2-7)
BUZZ: The Commodores have gained 262 total yards in their past two games. That's games, not quarters or halves. Games. NEXT: at Kentucky, Saturday

103. Bowling Green (2-7)
BUZZ: Wednesday's game is the first of three consecutive non-Saturday games to close out the regular season. NEXT: vs. Miami of Ohio, Wednesday

104. Western Michigan (3-6)
BUZZ: Western lost to Central Michigan last week. This week, the Broncos get Eastern Michigan. NEXT: vs. Eastern Michigan, Saturday

105. Rice (2-7)
BUZZ: The Owls play their third consecutive road game on Saturday. NEXT: at Tulane, Saturday

106. Wake Forest (2-7)
BUZZ: The Demon Deacons have lost seven in a row and just two have been decided by single digits. NEXT: at NC State, Saturday

107. Ball State (3-7)
BUZZ: The Cardinals threw for a season-high 266 yards in beating winless Akron in double-overtime on Saturday. NEXT: at Buffalo, Friday

108. Central Michigan (3-7)
BUZZ: Central beat Eastern Michigan in September and beat Western Michigan on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Chippewas, there are no more Michigan directional schools on the schedule. NEXT: at Navy, Saturday

110. Minnesota (1-9)
BUZZ: Hmmm. The Golden Gophers are looking for a coach, and they may want to wait until the end of the NFL season and see if Brad Childress -- a former Big Ten assistant -- is available; that would save Minnesota from having to pay moving expenses for its new coach. NEXT: at Illinois, Saturday

111. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-7)
BUZZ: ULL has lost five in a row and has allowed at least 31 in each of the games and at least 43 in three of them. NEXT: at Florida Atlantic, Saturday

112. North Texas (2-7)
BUZZ: In two games under interim coach Mike Canales, the Mean Green are averaging 34.0 points per game. NEXT: at Middle Tennessee, Saturday

113. UNLV (1-8)
BUZZ: The Rebels have allowed at least 43 points in each of their past five games. If the Rebels' defense were a slot machine, it would have a sign above it saying, "Loosest slots in town." NEXT: vs. Wyoming, Saturday

114. New Mexico State (2-7)
BUZZ: The Aggies have only six sacks and 30 tackles for loss; both figures rank 119th in the nation. NEXT: vs. Louisiana Tech, Saturday

115. New Mexico (1-8)
BUZZ: Give it up for the Lobos; they won their first game of the season Saturday, beating Wyoming on a last-minute field goal. They scored 34 points, their first game this season with more than 20. NEXT: at Air Force, Saturday

116. Memphis (1-8)
BUZZ: How bad are the Tigers? They gave up 50 points to Tennessee, the third time in four games they've allowed that many points. Only twice this season have they allowed less than 41. NEXT: at Marshall

117. Western Kentucky (1-8)
BUZZ: The one bright spot for the Hilltoppers' offense has been the play of junior RB Bobby Rainey, who is eighth in the nation in rushing at 121.1 yards per game. NEXT: at Arkansas State, Saturday

118. Eastern Michigan (1-8)
BUZZ: The Eagles are last in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 43.8 points per game. NEXT: at Western Michigan, Saturday

119. San Jose State (1-8)
BUZZ: The Spartans had last week off, and hopefully they discovered something that can spark the offense, which is last in the nation in scoring (11.9 ppg). NEXT: vs. Utah State, Saturday

120. Akron (0-10)
BUZZ: Akron is staring at the extremely realistic probability that it is going to finish 0-12 this season. NEXT: vs. Miami of Ohio, Nov. 17

Mike Huguenin is the college sports editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at mhuguenin@rivals.com.